Cruising In Luxury: Bmw R1200cl

CRUISING IN LUXURY: BMW R1200CL

ROUNDUP

BEHOLD, THE FIRST OFFIcial photographs of BMW's new “luxury cruiser,” the touring-oriented R1200CL. Based on the R1200C, the ’03 CL differs from the donor model via a quad-head-light handlebar fairing, stepped seat, integrated hard luggage, six-speed transmission, floor-boards and fat tires.

Changes to the chassis-a beefier subframe, swingarm and rear hub, plus a heavier-rate shock spring and larger rear brake— offset the added weight of the new bags. Up front, the Telelever legs are set farther apart to allow for the 150/80-16 tire. A 170/80-15 meat resides out back. There’s also a larger, more powerful battery.

The distinctive fairing features stacked highbeam headlights, which are flanked by a pair of larger, deep-set low beams. Separate panels fan out from the gas tank, upping lower-body protection. Though non-adjustable, the windtunnel-developed windscreen is contoured “like a wave” to better deflect airblast away from the rider. The center dip also affords an unabridged view of the road ahead.

All this added mass boosts claimed dry weight to 679 pounds, a gain of more than 100 pounds. No problem, just add more power, right? Wrong. The fuel-injected, air/oil-cooled flatTwin still displaces 1170cc, and puts out a claimed 61 horsepower and 72 foot-pounds of torque.

Options will likely include heated handgrips, cruise control, a chrome package, Integral

ABS, AM/FM radio/CD player, heated seats, clock, tachometer, an anti-theft alarm and topcase. Colors? Capri Blue Metallic, Pearl Silver Metallic and Mojave Brown. The latter will come with brown seat, rather than the black found on the other models. Look for the R1200CL in dealerships late this year. -Matthew Miles